Golf: York woman, 82, hits second career hole-in-one

Betty Rowe first picked up a golf club when she was 51 years old and went to a free clinic at York Golf and Tennis Club with two of her friends.

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By Jay Pinsonnault

seacoastonline.com

By Jay Pinsonnault

Posted Aug. 13, 2014 at 2:00 AM

By Jay Pinsonnault

Posted Aug. 13, 2014 at 2:00 AM

» Social News

Betty Rowe first picked up a golf club when she was 51 years old and went to a free clinic at York Golf and Tennis Club with two of her friends.

One can only imagine what type of golfer she would have been if she picked up the game at an earlier age.

Rowe, now 82 and 31-year member of York Golf and Tennis with her husband, Dell, fired her second career hole-in-one last month at Lake Winnipesaukee Golf Club in New Durham, N.H.

Rowe, whose best 18-hole score is an 89, aced the par-3, 130-yard fourth hole on July 22, playing in a foursome which included York's Linda Davis.

"When I hit the ball, she (Davis) said what a pure shot I had," Rowe said. "I looked at her because I had never heard that expression before. She was saying it was such a pure shot and then said 'oh my gosh, it's going in the hole.'"

Rowe used her driver from the uphill ladies tee.

"It (swing) felt good," Rowe said. "I stayed down and followed through. There were some rocks and bunkers near the green. How the ball landed on the green, I will never know because of all the obstacles. I was playing well for me, but I don't play like I used to. I am an old lady. I never thought I would get another one (hole-in-one). It was an exciting day."

Connor Murphy, an assistant pro at Lake Winnipesaukee Golf Club said Rowe's ace "is great because the green is pretty well guarded by bunkers."

Rowe's first hole-in-one came on the first hole at York Golf and Tennis in August 1998. Ironically, her ace came just 17 days after Dell hit his first hole-in-one on that very same hole."

"It's unbelievable and fun to see," said Craig Decato, the assistant pro at York Golf and Tennis. "I am glad she did it. I know Betty pretty well and it's good to see she's still playing and playing well."

Rowe, a 60-year resident of York, played sandlot softball and baseball during her childhood days in Portsmouth, N.H., but never was interested in golf until she attended a free clinic.

"The course had a beginner's clinic and two of my friends were talking one day and we decided to go, that's how it started," Rowe said. "I was the only one who stayed with the sport. I joined the club and continued playing. I fell right in love with the game the minute I started. I want to keep playing for as long as I can."

Rowe was a longtime player in the women's league at the club, but now only plays as a substitute.

"I still play about two or three times a week now," Rowe said. "I like being outdoors and the camaraderie with the girls. The game keeps you in touch, keeps you going and keeps you young. The game isn't frustrating for me anymore, I am still out here playing."

Rowe continues her quest for a third hole-in-one. She is scheduled to next play Friday in a friendly game.

"I don't know," she said. "I doubt I'll get another. I never thought I would get one, you never think like that. I just think about hitting the ball and getting it down there."